Physiology 3120 Lecture 2: Lecture 2 - Synaptic Transmission

• School: Western University
• Department: Physiology
• Course: Physiology 3120
• Professor: Tom Stavraky

Document Summary

Epsp excitatory post-synaptic potential (depolarization: bring cell towards threshold, transient increase in permeability to na+/k+ Ipsp - inhibitory post-synaptic potential (hyperpolarization, usually: bring cell away from threshold, transient increase in permeability to cl-/k+ Equilibrium potential of cl- is near the rmp of the neuron. If the neuron is already at the equilibrium potential of cl-, an ipsp does nothing except keep it at that equilibrium potential. The same concept doesn"t apply to depolarization b/c the equilibrium potential of na+ is past threshold. If the neuron is suppressed from making aps, epsps will continue to depolarize the neuron until it reachs the equilibrium potential of na+. Neuron is basically always leaky to k, that"s what is bringing it back to rmp. Important idea b/c it defines the information processing of neurons/how the neuron responds to its stimuli (epsps and ipsps). Many epsps are needed to generate an ap.